Lensing Cluster

RX J1347-1145 is an extreme galaxy cluster discovered in the ROSAT All-Sky Survey. Follow-up observations in optical and X-rays (with ROSAT/HRI and ASCA) reveal a number of interesting properties. RX J1347-1145 at z = 0.451 with a luminosity L_X(bol) = 2 x 10⁴⁶ erg/s is the most luminous X-ray cluster discovered to date. The cluster has a strong cooling flow of more than 3000 solar masses per year, the largest cooling flow detected so far.

The image shows ROSAT HRI contours of RX J1347-1145 superposed on an optical NTT image, displaying a very compact cluster. In the optical image several arcs and arc candidates are visible (marked with letters), implying that the cluster acts as a gravitational lens.

Schindler, S., M. Hattori, D. M. Neumann, and H. Böhringer:
ROSAT/HRI and ASCA observations of the most luminous X-ray cluster RX J1347.5-1145
Astron. & Astrophys. 317, 646-655 (1997)
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